Staff in strike vote over care home closure plan (From Daily Echo)

Staff in strike vote over care home closure plan

10:37am Wednesday 14th January 2009 in

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CARE workers at two Hampshire homes for the elderly threatened with closure are to be balloted for strike action in protest at the proposals.

Unions are urging staff at Whitehaven Lodge and Birch Lawn in Southampton to back the one-day walkout, which comes after residents and their relatives lodged a legal challenge to the closure plans.

If approved, the industrial action on February 18 would coincide with Southampton City Council's annual budget setting meeting.

Shutting the homes - 55-bed Whitehaven Lodge in Millbrook and 33-bed Birch Lawn in Sholing - would mean 64 care workers losing their jobs.

UNISON and Unite, which together represent 90 per cent of staff at the homes, say they are giving the council six week's notice of the strike so it can make alternative arrangements for the care of residents.

Mike Tucker, UNISON Branch Secretary said the industrial action is being called "to force the council to think again".

"Conservative councillors have so far ignored calls by local MPs, residents, their relatives and the 5,000 people who signed our petition to keep the two homes open," he said.

"The recent closure of two private care homes for the elderly because of poor levels of care demonstrates why the Council should continue to provide residential care for the elderly."